IIT Bhubaneswar Invites Applications for Open Challenge Program on ARVR

IIT Bhubaneswar's Virtual and Augmented Reality Centre of Excellence (VARCoE), in association with STPI, MSME, Govt of Odisha, Startup Odisha, Ministry of Electronics and Information technology (MeitY) Govt of India has invited applications for the open challenge program on ARVR. 

Individuals and startups working in the areas of ARVR can apply for the IIT Bhubaneswar's program till January 26, 2022. 

IIT Bhubaneswar's Open Challenge Program on ARVR: Highlights 

This is the first open call of the institute, which will support 20 best submissions led and executed by start-ups, actively involved in research, development, and application activities related to ARVR. 

IIT Bhubaneswar's Open Challenge Program on ARVR: Selection Process

The following are the selection procedure of the start-up proposals, which is a 4-stage process. 

• Eligibility screening
• Shortlisting 
• Evaluation
• Approval 

IIT Bhubaneswar's Open Challenge Program on ARVR: Problem Statement 

The problem statement for the startup proposals is listed below. 

Track 1: An Augmented Reality Platform For Medical Planning 

(i) Dentistry - Real-time data visualization directly from a dental scanner, which will enable a dentist to build precise crowns or caps. 

(ii) Training nurses - AR-enabled, tablet-based simulations of different patient scenarios.

(iii) Medical imaging - AR-based visualization enhancement of CT or MRI data.

(iv) Elderly Care - ARVR based services for the elderly and people with different forms of disability. 

(v) Medical virtual reality simulators - Design and development of surgically augmented reality setups, and surgical digital library platforms.

(vi) Health Care - Focused AR Apps 

Track 2: Augmented And Virtual Reality Platform For Tourism 

(i) The metaverse: Interactive Hotel Elements

(ii) ARVR Based travel app development for City Tours

(iii) Marker-based AR technology for travel

(iv) Augmented Tourist Destinations

Track 3: Augmented And Virtual Reality In Cultural Heritage 

(i) Exploring Cultural Heritage Using Augmented Reality

(ii) Augmented and Virtual Reality in Heritage Conservation

(iii) ARVR Game-based Education System

(iv) AR VR based visitor experience and satisfaction 

Track 4: Augmented And Virtual REALITY In Education And Skilling 

(i) Augmented and virtual reality in elementary and primary school 

(ii) Storytelling and instructional design for XR

(iii) Teaching aids with XR

(iv) AR-based infrastructure management tools for schools

(v) AR/VR/MR Based skilling system 

The projects which are selected must have the potential to necessitate a substantial advance in the state of the art, delivering new services with potential to improve the solutions based on ARVR and the ability to reach the market in the short run. The open call has been divided into four participation tracks mentioned above. 

IIT Bhubaneswar's Open Challenge Program on ARVR: Benefits 

Following are the major benefits of the start-up proposals. 

• On boarding upto 20 best start-ups in the VARCoE premises of IIT Bhubaneswar campus (In campus mode and virtual mode)
• Seed grant support/investment upto rupees 10 Lakhs as well as Infrastructure, library and laboratory accesses provisioning for 10 best proposals as well as provisioning for In campus mode on boarding.
• Infrastructure, library and laboratory access provisioning for 11th -20th best Proposals as well as provisioning for virtual mode onboarding.
• Access to other funding/Investment from government organizations up to the tune of 25 Lakhs, which will be on the basis of periodic review after six months of incorporation of start-up under VARCoE.
• Access to private investment: A network of corporate and private investors engaged to select and invest in promising companies with great go- to-market and growth potential.
• Visibility: VARCoE will offer ecosystem and organizational visibility towards new partnerships and business opportunities.
• Mentoring assistance from VARCoE team members. 

Earlier, in December 2021, IIT Bhubaneswar developed a low power semiconductor chip for cutting-edge applications of electronic devices. These integrated circuits (ICs) were fabricated at the semiconductor laboratory (SCL), Mohali, and were developed under the Special Manpower Development Program for Chips to system design (SMDP - C2SD) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). 

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